Hadden Hangs Up His Boots

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with three jumps cards from Perth, Chepstow and Plumpton as well as flat fixtures from Sandown and Doncaster.  The stable doesn't have any runners this afternoon and with just two days of the season remaining Tom Scudamore is sat on 149 winners.  I know he would love to ride one more to make it to 150 so he travels to Plumpton this afternoon for three mounts - they look to have small chances with Into The Wind possibly the best of them.  I guess it is like being on 99 in cricket, a ton sounds so much better.  With only five National Hunt jockeys having ridden 150 winners in a season, he would be joining very exclusive company.

Tomorrow is the last day of A P McCoy's quite extraordinary riding career and we will bring you a few thoughts, recollections and tributes from some of the Pond House staff that knew AP from his time at the stable, so make sure you check back tomorrow.  Unsurprisingly, Sandown is a complete sell out and there are not even any walk up tickets available - I would imagine the touts are going to be doing some great business.  At the moment it looks as though AP only has one ride on the card, let's hope he can go out with a winner.

A P is not the only notable retiree as I see that Hadden Frost is quitting the saddle to concentrate on his saddlery business.  It goes to show you how tough the sport is when you retire from race riding at the age of 24.  Hadden was a very capable jockey and won the Grade 2 Holloways Hurdle at Ascot aboard Mamlook for David, while his career highlight was undoubtedly aboard the amazing Buena Vista (pictured above) when he ran away with the first of his Pertemps Hurdle Finals at the Cheltenham Festival in 2010 under a great front running ride.  I once caught a lift with Hadden to the races and I am not joking, it must have been one of the most frightening experiences of my life.  He had the steering wheel balanced between his knees while holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a pasty in the other, all the while following another car on the motorway at a distance of only a few feet!  I am pleased that you have another career to fall back on Hadden, as I don't think you would make it as a taxi driver!

David was the first trainer through the 100 winner barrier this term, although looking through the trainers' championship there are two trainers, Philip Hobbs (99) and Donald McCain (98) who are tantalisingly close to reaching their seasonal tons.  With two days to go I wonder if they will make it?

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There was a great knock from Joe Root to put England in a very strong position in the Test match against the West Indies.  England lead by 74 runs and need to put up some quick runs this morning to give them a chance to bowl out the hosts with two days to go.

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I see that Ronnie O'Sullivan played his World Championship Snooker match in his socks on Tuesday.  I have heard of players loosening their shirts but never their shoes!  Judd did Trump Ronnie when he turned up to his match in a pair of £500 Jimmy Choo slip-on's.  They could meet in the semi-final and then it will all kick off!

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Finally, did you know that a pregnant goldfish is called a twit?  It turns out that I know quite a few pregnant goldfish!

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